The concept of newsworthy restaurants is something I constantly struggle with. Many people want to know whats hot and happening in the city, but a new restaurant opening or restaurant closing isnt always a headliner. There are many excellent restaurants that go unnoticed or fly under the radar. Here are a few of my favourite mom-and-pop restaurants that have been around for years. They are rarely talked about and rely on word of mouth, but are key contributors to Vancouvers diverse food scene.
Acacia Fillo Bar
It is easily missed but it has been around since 2006. Husband-and-wife team Vera Eftovska-Ivanova and Ziggy Ivanov own and operate this casual 15-seat eatery. Both are professionally trained chefs and they bring to Vancouver flavours from their native Bulgaria. They specialize in sweet and savoury fillo pastries and baked goods. It is the only place you can find banitsa a traditional Bulgarian pastry stuffed with a mixture of whisked eggs and cheese. Try the spinach version and grab a Morning Glory muffin.
1103 Denman | AcaciaFilloBar.com
Aki Japanese Restaurant
Boom. 1963. This is one of the first Japanese restaurants in the city and it is part of Vancouvers cultural history. It relocated last year, but owner Akio Takeuchi and his wife are still working the bar and business. Aki is known for authentic Japanese food but especially its robata (Japanese BBQ or charcoal grilled meats and seafood). The grilled sablefish passes Japanese standards and the menu hasnt changed much since it opened.
1368 W. Pender | AkiRestaurant.ca
La Bohème Crêperie
No Facebook. No Twitter. No website. It is hard to imagine any business operating without any of these, but this mobile creperie is one of a kind. Owner and operator Bruno Dehier is originally from France and he brings to Vancouver his savoury and sweet buckwheat crêpes called Galettes de Sarrasin or galettes. Fresh, healthy and made with local ingredients, Dehier has been making them here since 2005. They are only available at the local farmers market.
Vancouver Farmers Market | EatLocal.org
Pasparos Taverna
I just adore these ladies! Chef and owner Katia Kefalogianni opened the restaurant in 1974 and still runs it with her sister and daughter, Tania. My Greek friend introduced me to it and so far it is my benchmark for Greek food in the city. The grilled and stuffed calamari with feta, kefalograviera (Greek cheese), celery, bell peppers, and zucchini is classic to traditional Greek cuisine. In a deep fried calamari infatuated city, this one is worth trying, too.
132 3rd St W., North Vancouver | Pasparos.com
You can catch up with Mijune next at National Sustainable Seafood Day with David Suzuki at The Four Seasons on May 3 (tickets $25 at FourSeasons.com/Vancouver.) She will also be judging Cathay Pacifics Noodles of Asia contest in San Francisco with celebrity chef Martin Yan of Yan Can Cook!
Find out more about Mijune at FollowMeFoodie.com or follow her on Twitter @followmefoodie.
